Company News
Hankook bringing world premières and smart tyre solutions to The Tire Cologne
With 400 metres of exhibition space at The Tire Cologne, the team at Hankook Tire has plenty of room to stretch out. Or to present a broad range of products, including its new all-weather car tyre. The world première of this tyre – Hankook is keeping mum about its name – will take place at Stand A050, in Hall 6.1.
Continental revises H1 2018 outlook
First half 2018 earnings at Continental AG are now expected to be around 150 million euros less than previously projected, the company reports. To blame for this negative development are exchange rate and inventory valuation effects, primarily in Continental’s tyre business. In response to anticipated lower earnings, Continental has revised its outlook for adjusted operating result (adjusted EBIT) within its Rubber Group for the period – this is expected to be around 100 million euros lower than in the first half of 2017.
Dunlop takes over from Bridgestone as Saroléa technical partner
After four years of partnership with Bridgestone, Belgian motorcycle brand Saroléa has now selected Dunlop as a technical partner for its Saroléa SP7 electric racing motorcycle. Dunlop comments that the change of technical partner accompanies yesterday’s announcement of the next goal for Saroléa, which is to be recognised as a candidate for future Le Mans 24h and FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) competition and thus directly compete with the most powerful petrol-powered EWC machines. The switch, adds Dunlop, was a move Saroléa made “to help achieve this goal.”
Pirelli develops organisation to support its Integrated Business Model
At the Pirelli Board of Directors meeting scheduled for 14 May 2018, Marco Tronchetti Provera will present to board members the tyre maker’s proposal for developing an organisation to support the company’s Integrated Business Model. This proposed organisation, which the executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer has already shared with the chairman of the board, involves a new distribution of responsibility within the company.
Pyrolyx secures funding for US plant expansion
Pyrolyx has signed a five-year mezzanine financing agreement for 5 million euros (about $6.1 million) with USAmerican Arena Growth Holdings. The capital will be used to finance global expansion, the development of production in the US, and optimization of Pyrolyx’s existing production capacity.
Cartyzen coming to The Tire Cologne ahead of European launch
Introduced at Tire Technology Expo in February, the Zenises Group’s Cartyzen tyre subscription service will gain further exposure at The Tire Cologne next month through its presentation by Harjeev Kandhari, chief executive officer of Zenises.
Liqui Moly the official sponsor of 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship
In Denmark the best national teams will cross sticks at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship from May 4 to 20. The German oil and additive specialist Liqui Moly is the official sponsor of the competitions that will be carried out in Copenhagen and Herning.
Toyo Tyres UK signs new three-year distribution agreement with MTS
Micheldever Tyre Services (MTS) and Toyo Tires have signed a new three-year UK distribution contract. The wholesaler states that it has shown strong sales performance with the Toyo brand recently, and the new deal will help to showcase the solidity of the partnership.
Tyre wholesale: acquisition gives Italy’s Fintyre national coverage
Italian tyre wholesaler Fintyre has acquired its regional rival, La Genovese gomme. The European Fintyre Distribution Ltd company has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the Sardinia-based wholesaler and retailer.
Goodyear, Bridgestone combining aftermarket tyre distribution in the USA
The wholesale tyre distribution networks owned by Goodyear and Bridgestone in the USA are combining to form an operation the two protagonists claim will be “one of the largest tyre distribution joint ventures in the United States.” This 50-50 joint venture, announced yesterday, echoes the arrangement that Michelin and Sumitomo Corporation entered into at the start of the year.
The Tire Cologne: Around 600 exhibitors from 41 countries expected
The organiser of The Tire Cologne reports that firms from 41 countries have signed up as exhibitors for next month’s show. According to Koelnmesse GmbH, international exhibitors account for around 68 per cent of the 530 providers and 70 or so brands whose presence has already been confirmed. The strongest international contingents are from Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Turkey, as well as from China, India, Taiwan and the USA.
Tyre Recovery Association introduces Responsible Part Worn Tyre Programme
The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) has announced the introduction of its Responsible Part Worn Tyre programme (RPWTP) at its 2018 forum day at the Belfry Hotel in Wishaw. The programme, introduced and strongly endorsed by Stefan Hay, chief executive of the National Tyre Distributors’ Association (NTDA) at the event, was detailed by Alan Bithell. The RPWTP has been designed with the purpose of raising standards of professionalism in retailers selling part-worn tyres, ensuring all tyres sold by participating retailers are legally compliant.
Bridgestone opens full-time commercial tyre training facility at Horiba Mira
The need to increase the volume of training in the tyre industry, helping both to achieve uniformly better standards of service and for businesses to work to retain staff through training and qualifications, has increased, Bridgestone commercial and marketing director John Folliss tells Tyres & Accessories. More reasons for enhancing training programmes include the changes in skill base brought about by both new technology and legislation.
European tyre maker trialling Versarien’s Nanene
A small beginning, but a beginning nonetheless: Advanced engineering materials group Versarien plc announced today that a “leading tyre producer, based in Europe” has placed a purchase order for its proprietary Nanene few layer graphene nano-platelets. This order was cultivated via Versarien’s distributor OQEMA plc, formerly Lansdowne Chemicals Limited.
Output at Continental’s Kaluga plant exceeds 10 million tyres
Five years after production commenced, the Continental tyre factory in Kaluga, Russia has celebrated the production of its 10 millionth tyre. Plant output officially went into eight-digit figures on 11 April and the team in Kaluga marked the occasion with invited guests, including government officials, customers and representatives from the Continental Executive Board.